Derek Dixon, Tyler Perry Accuser, Speaks Out: Breaking the Silence on Sexual Assault Allegations in Hollywood

Derek Dixon, an actor known for his role as Dale in Tyler Perry’s BET series “The Oval,” has stepped into the national spotlight after filing a $260 million lawsuit against Tyler Perry, the prolific director, producer, and media mogul. In his first public interviews since the lawsuit was filed, Dixon has shared detailed accounts of alleged sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation during his tenure working on Perry’s productions from January 2020 to June 2024.

"There's a lot of shame around it," Dixon told ABC News in a Sept. 9 interview. "Just trying to think what you could have done better and having to deal with the judgment of how you could've ended it better without being in that situation."

Dixon’s allegations include claims of inappropriate text messages. "One of them says, 'What's it going to take for you to have guiltless sex? Have y'all found that in therapy yet? I would hope that you would let someone hold and make love to you,'" Dixon related in the ABC New interview.

Dixon has also alleged physical advances, incidents which he says created a hostile and unsafe working environment. He describes a pattern of unwanted sexual attention, which he alleges began with text messages and escalated to physical encounters.

In a televised interview, Dixon expressed his motivation for coming forward: “Everyone deserves to go to work and do their job without their boss trying to have sex with them. My goal is to help ensure that the next generation of actors and creatives don’t have to choose between their dreams and their dignity.”

Dixon described specific episodes, including one where, after being invited to Perry’s guest house for drinks, he was allegedly encouraged to stay overnight, leading to an encounter that he claims “took a turn” consistent with the pattern of harassment detailed in his lawsuit .

The lawsuit has drawn sharp denials from Tyler Perry’s legal team. Attorney Matthew Boyd, characterized the allegations as “fabricated claims” and “an attempt to set up a scam,” adding, “Tyler will not be shaken down and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail” .

Dixon’s case arrives amid ongoing conversations about the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ professionals in Hollywood. The power imbalance between established producers and emerging talent can render actors, especially those from marginalized communities, particularly vulnerable to workplace exploitation and abuse.

For queer people—who already contend with widespread discrimination and underrepresentation in media—the stakes are especially high when it comes to reporting abuse by high-profile figures. Advocacy organizations have called for greater protections and more robust reporting mechanisms for survivors of sexual harassment and assault in the entertainment industry. These groups emphasize the importance of creating environments where everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, feels safe and supported to come forward.